Fumigant cartridge



Mamh 5, i929, H. w, HOU'GHTON 4 L70407 FUMIGANT CARTRIDGE Original FiledJuly 16, l925 Patented Mar. 5, 1929.V

UMTED STATES-1 PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY W. HOUGHTON, F GLEN ECHO, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR *TO SAFETY FUMIGAN TCOMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CARTRIDGE.

.Application filed July 16, 1925, Serial No. 44,126. Renewed Tuly 3,1928i- This invention relates to a fumigant gas having toxic and warningproperties' of the general nature of that described in my Patent No.1,521,537, dated December 30,

1924, and comprises a convenient means for generating such a fumigantgas in the space to be fumigated.

The invention has for its main object to make readily available to thepublic a gas that can be safely used by those not having the technicalskill and facilities 'for handling acids and chemicals necessary forgenerating hydrocyanic acid and cyanogen chloride gas mixture accordingto the procedure disclosed in saidy patent.

Further objects and advantages of the invention appear hereinafter inconnection with the description of the illustrative embodiment shown inthe accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side view of a fumigantcartridge as manufactured for sale;

F ig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of the same; and

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3- 3 in Fig. 2.

lThe invention comprises suitable chemicals for generating the gas,mixed in proper proportions, and packed in a container ready for use bymerely adding water. For illustrative purposes the invention is shown inthe drawings as in cartridge form developed for general household useWhere the spaces to be fumigated will range froml a cedar chestorcupboard to a closet, small room or attic space, one or morecartridges of suitable size being used as the occasion demands.' Trunks,moth-proof` bags and 'similar containers may readily be fumigated 40 bythis means without injuring the contents. I

The cartridge 10 consists of a tubular fibre or metal shell having screwcaps 11 or other suitable removable end vcovers and inner end vclosures12. The closures 12 are provided with perforations 13 for permittingentrance of air and moisture and escape of gas when theffcartridge ismade readyfor use. A paper tube 14, filled with wicking or the like 15,and likewise provided with perforation's 16 may ladvantageously bearranged centrally within the cartridge from end to end for assisting inconductin air and moisture to the contents of the tu e and in promotingthe escape of the gas as it is generated.

At one end of the cartridge there is a sponge 17 or other moistureabsorbing and diffusing materiahandthe end ofthe cartridge containingthe absorbent' material is preferably painted red or colored on theexterior with a distinctive color 18. A legend Dip this end in water orother suit-- able instructions may be printed on the outside of thecartridge at the end containing the absorbent material to aid the userin preparing the cartridge for use.

The remaining space within the cartridge is illed with a mixture 19 of acyanogen containing salt and bleaching powder or other ingredient thatwill liberate chlorine when exposed to air and moisture and formcyanogen chloride. A suitable mixture contains two` parts by weight offullers earth and one part each of sodium cyanide andy bleaching powder,thoroughly *mixed* together in the dry state. When this mixture isexposed to dampness and air it is decomposed and a gaseous mixture ofcyanogen chloride and hydrocyanic acid is evolved, the bleach beingbroken up by the water and carbonio .acid gas in the air with liberationof chlorine, which'reacts with the sodium cyanide to form cyanogenchloride. Some of the cyanide is fixed as hydrocyanic acid gas andescapes as such.

The reactions leading to the production of the gaseous mixture may beexpressed as follows:

4NacN cacizo 4c1 aco2 2H2o= This reaction starts slowly and takes aconsiderable period of time Ifor its completion, so that the heatproduced isodissipated before it can increase the temperature ofthecartridge to a dangerous degree.`4

From the foregoing it is apparent that the user of the cartridge needonly remove the end `caps and immerse the painted end in water until theabsorbent materials are well soaked, and then place `it in the space tobe fumigated, which need not be emptied ,of its contents but should beclosed tight and left for from two to twenty-four hours for thegeneration of the gas and the destruction Jof the pests with which'itisinfested. As many cartridges may be used as are found necessary,depending 0114 the size .of the lsie space, the rate of leakage of thegas, and the character of the pests inhabiting it. For rodents andvermin a cartridge containing four ounces of sodium cyanide will suflicefor a small room containing one thousand cubic feet of space.

The facility with which the invention may be utilized by non-technicalpersons, and its freedom from danger from fre\or accidental inhaling ofthe fumes in lethal quantity, make it of great value for generaldomestic and commercial use in combating rodents, vermin, plant lice,disease germs and other pests and organic growths.

Having described an illustrative embodiment of the invention, without'restricting myself thereto, what I claim and desire to protect byLetters Patent is as follows, the term fumigant cartridge being used todesignate any portable container of convenient size for transporting andhandling the mixture of dry ingredients in quantities suitable forfumigating spaces of from a few hundred to ten thousand cubic feet ormore if desired:

1. A l fumigant cartridge containing a mixture of a cyanide and achlorine liberating agent in proportions to produce cyanogen chloridewhen acted upon by moist air. 2. A fumigant cartridge containing amixture of a cyanide and a chloride liberating. agent in proportions toproduce cyanogen chloride whenl acted upon by moist air,

' portions for and means for admitting alr and moisture thereto.

3. A fumigant cartridge containing a cyanide salt and bleaching powderin progenerating cyanogen chloride and hydrocyanic acid upon exposure toair and moisture.

4. A fumigant cartridge containing a mixture .of sodium cyanide andbleaching powder with inert material and provided with removable meansfor preventing access of air and moisture thereto.

5. A fumigant cartridge containing a mixture of sodium cyanide andbleaching powder with inert material and provided with an absorbentmaterial in contact therewith and removable means for preventing accessof air and moisture thereto.

6. A fumigant cartridge containing a' mixture of a cyanide and bleachingpowder adapted to generate cyanogen chloride moisture from said receiverto said mixture. y

8. A fumigant cartridge containing a mixture comprising means forliberating a cyanogen derivative by exposure to moisture, a sponge-likematerial, and Wick-like device for feeding moisture from saidsponge-like material to said mixture.

9. A fumigant cartridge having a shell 10, provided with removable endcovers 11 and inner perforated end walls 12 connected by a perforatedtube 14 filled' with wicking 15 and provided at one end withspongymaterial 17, and a filling of gas producing mixture comprising sodiumcyanide and bleaching powder for the purposes described. d l

10. Af fumigant cartridge having a shell 10, provided with removable endcovers 11 and inner perforated end walls 12 and provided at one endwithspongy material 17, and a filling of gas producing mixture comprisingsodium cyanide and bleaching powder for the purposes described.

11. A fumigant cartridge containing a mixture of a cyanide and achlorine liberating agent in proportions to produce cyanogen chlorideand hydrocyanic acid when acted upon by moist air.

12. A fumigant cartridge containing a mixture of a cyanide and achlorine liberating agent in proportions to produce cyanogen chlorideand hydrocyanic acid when acted upon by moist air, and means foradmitting air and moisture thereto.

13. A fumigant cartridge containing a mixture of a cyanide and bleachingpowderl adapted to generate cyanogen chloride and hydrocyanic acid whenexposed to air and moisture, moisture storing rmeans, and removablemeans for preventing access of air and moisture to said mixture.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. Y

. HARRY W. HOUGHTON.

